Chapter Eleven: Four Ways to the Finale
Chris: [narrating] Last time on Total Drama Reloaded, the final five were tasked with the challenge of climbing Mount Looming Tragedy, and let's just say, it was a real tragedy for everyone barring Emerald who once again pulled off winning another immunity, much to the other contestants' chagrin and to my amusement. [chuckles] Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the spectrum, some of the campers found themselves in a lil bonding experience after Balto's elimination, particularly in the case of Steele and Jo who managed to patch up their rivalry by realizing that being equally bossy and bruising is something the two of them can have a laugh over together, hey, I guess competitive minds think alike. It's just a shame this new companionship was cut short when Jo ended up being eliminated in fifth place for the second time in a row. Guess five is her lucky number, you could say. [chuckles] We're down to the final four contestants still in the running; Rarity, the fabulous fashionista, who's now gotten farther in any season she's previously participated in. Steele, the champion brute, who's recently gone through a bit of a change of heart, courtesy of a certain wolfdog, along with Rufus, the sly con artist, who started out as tricky as expected, but soon turned into more of a soft-spoken ball of fluff who's now in a poly with Balto and Steele. And last but not least, Emerald, the vindictive conspirer, who after being eliminated at the fourth campfire ceremony, came back with a vengeance and has been doing everything in her power to keep the rest of the campers on their toes as she's still going strong, maybe even all the way to the finale. [on-screen] But who knows who'll actually be making it to the final two, which is why you're about to find out, right here, right now, on Total...Drama...Reloaded!
[cue theme song, the episode continues]
[scene shows the full moon up in the sky as the scene then shifts down to the forest. At that moment, Rarity is seen walking by herself, seeming to be lost in thought]
[static buzzing]
Rarity: It's great to have reached the final four after all this time, but I suppose the main issue that currently plagues me is that I'm still the only one who's been on the show several times before, coupled with the fact that with Jo out of the game, I'm now on my own. Additionally, if Emerald happens to win the next challenge...again, no doubt in my mind that along with Rufus and Steele, all three of them will be gunning for me. And even if Emerald happens to lose, I wouldn't put it past Steele and Rufus to take each other to the finale. Which is why it is imperative that I win the next challenge, that way, I'm both safe from elimination and have a ticket to the final two.
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Rarity approaching a river as suddenly out of the trees appears an owl as it flaps loudly above her, startling the unicorn as she jumps and looks up to see the bird flying away before sighing]
Rarity: Okay, calm down, Rarity, mustn't let your nerves get the better of you, just...think pro-active, think success, think...generosity…
[a dainty, melodious tune starts to play in the background as Rarity looks down at her reflection in the river]
Oh, Total Drama, what you do to me
Such a brutal, troubling community
But there's the opportunity
To do the friendly thing
If some are deceitful, pay no mind
Surprise instead with being kind
Lo and behold, you may just find
A smile is what you bring
[an instrumental break plays as Rarity hops over a few stepping stones to get to the other side of the river before heading off into a more clear section of the forest]
Generosity, I'm here to show all that I can give
Generosity, I'm here to set the bar
Just sit back and watch how I live
[another instrumental break plays as Rarity climbs up a tree and sits down on a branch]
Some may say, "Rarity,
Don't be so big-hearted and bold
Treating strangers like their friends
This island's too small and cold"
But this is how I play my cards
I'm not about to fold
Where I see a frown, I go to town
Call me the smile patrol
[another instrumental break plays as Rarity jumps down from the tree and heads over to a cliffside as fireflies surround her while her mane blows in the wind against the moonlight sky]
Generosity, I'm here to show all that I can do
Generosity, you are the key
Total Drama, I'm here just for you
Just for yoooooooooou
[the background music fades as the scene pans out to show Rarity standing proud on the edge of the cliff]
[static buzzing]
Rarity: What can I say? Singing from the heart is rather alleviating. Besides, nothing like giving yourself a little burst of confidence.
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Rufus and Steele sitting on the steps leading to the beach]
Rufus: [after looking at Steele briefly before looking down again with his hands on his chin] You know...it's kinda funny, really…
Steele: What is…?
Rufus: Oh…you know...the two of us and our...personas...I remember going into this season thinking that I was going to be the real troublemaker, especially once Emerald was eliminated...at first, anyway...but along the way, something in me seemed to...change...I pin it down to how I saw you and Balto getting on and it made me feel rather...jealous and...wanting, to say the least...you know, to think that a fellow "villain" would have gotten me feeling to what I'm currently feeling is...surreal to say the least…
Steele: Hmm...I get what ya' mean. No doubt in my mind that the first impression people would have about me is that I'd just be the same ruthless, ego-driven jackass who'd either get my ass kicked off this island sooner than you could say "Balto", or I'd just be some malicious malefactor making your lives miserable...heh, safe to say Emerald's doin' a pretty good job a' that, thus far.
Rufus: Hehehe, yeah, you're right there…
Steele: Heh, yeah…still, guess you could say I was striving to "subvert expectations", so to speak. Ya' know, actually focus on playing the game and showing that I've still got it in me. Like, I'll admit, I'm not a nice guy, not in the slightest, and it's pretty evident that I'm not given my...track record...but at the very least, I wasn't going to let myself be identified as merely a "bully", I've still got the guts to try and win a competition, I didn't get to be a champion back home for nothin', you know. Hell, I didn't even have to terrorize anyone this time around.
Rufus: Mmmm, true that...still, even though you're, like you said, not a nice guy, I can see that you've at least shown some kind of...change, a rather pleasant change if I do say so myself.
Steele: Hmm, nice to know someone's noticed...as well as another…
Rufus: Yeah...you know, I bet another thing I'm sure people didn't expect was seeing you hitch it off with Balto.
Steele: Weeeeeeell, you could say that though it's ironic how the person you originally considered to be the bane of your existence turned out to be the one who sympathizes with you the most. And honestly...I respect him having that kind of genuine understanding for someone like me...really shows how much I misjudged him previously...the guy's truly got a heart of gold…
Rufus: Indeed he does, which is more than I can say for my adversary…
Steele: Say, you want me to kick his ass sometime for you?
Rufus: Hehehe, not that I wouldn't be against it, but I'll save it as...backup for when I next confront that sword twirling numbskull.
Steele: Just sayin', no one gets away with traumatizin' someone I care about. Ought to give that son of a bitch a taste of his own medicine.
Rufus: Weeeeell, I have heard tell that he's got a fear of...puppets. [snickers] However, I'll be the diplomat of the two in the case that he approaches me in an apologetic manner. If not, well, I know exactly what will happen then…
Steele: Hehehe, oooooh, you're so devious. I love that.
[static buzzing]
Rufus: [sighs contentedly] This is by far the most relaxed I've ever been in a long time. It's so nice to have someone who truly understands where you're coming and just so happens to be a partner at the same time. In all honesty, even if I don't win the million, I'll still have gotten something worthwhile out of this expereince, which is something I never thought that I would say.
[static buzzing]
Steele: Well now, look at that, I've gotten all the way to the final four and I'm still going long all the way to the final two. And I got me two "gals" to go along for the ride, so it's safe to say I'm really on the path to victory. The only issue lies with a certain one-eyed goblin who's been targeting our asses since she got back here, not to mention that her still being in the competition poses a threat to my chances at a million big ones. Hence why I'm making it my goal to make sure any chances she gets at the final twos are crushed.
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to the interior of the spa hotel's library as Emerald is once again sat at her desk, looking over her chart of names]
Emerald: That's one more down…[crosses out Jo's name]...three more to go…
[the camera shifts down and zooms in on the remaining names: "Rarity, Rufus, and Steele"]
[static buzzing]
Emerald: Now that Jo's out of the game, I've only got one real threat left to crush, that being Steele. You know the old saying, "pride comes before a fall", that is exactly what I intend to do to his chances of making the finale. After he's taken care of, Rarity and Rufus will be easy pickings. Naturally, the former will be the one to go next as I can't have anyone with powers to stand in my way, leaving that foolish little fox to fend for himself, all while I claim victory with no trouble at all. [sighes contentedly] Making a plan for these instances always helps clear things nicely.
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Emerald setting the pencil down on the desk next to her chart of eliminations as she then stands up and heads out from the library to then stare outside one of the windows]
Emerald: [sighs] I should probably feel worried about being outnumbered, but why should I? Given my performance, there really is no need to worry over such...trivial matters. All I need to do is win immunity once more and I'm guaranteed a spot in the final two. If you ask me...it's simply too easy…[turns away from the window and walks off]
[scene cuts to morning as the sun is seen rising over the horizon. It then cuts to the exterior of the spa hotel as Emerald exits out through the front door]
[static buzzing]
Emerald: One of the aspects of us gems is that we technically don't need to sleep, and I especially see no reason to do so under the current circumstances. Besides, why let yourself have a rude awakening when you can get up before the others and let them deal with it?
[static buzzing]
[a loud siren blasts out from the loudspeaker as a three-way split scene shows Rarity, Rufus, and Steele abruptly waking up]
Loudspeaker: Rise and shine, final four! You don't wanna miss out on the fun today's challenge is gonna bring! [chuckles] Meet me by the Dock of Shame in ten where your daily dose of pain and suffering awaits! Mclean out!
[Rarity begrudgingly leaves the females' side of the cabins with a yawn while Rufus and Steele follow on sluggishly]
Emerald: Well, someone's a sight for sore eyes.
Steele: Ironic coming from you.
Emerald: Hmph, you look so tired, you might as well drop out for the rest of the day.
Steele: [as he stretches out] Oh, please, I'm not that tired, ya' know. And as if I'd let myself stumble before the finish line.
Emerald: Really? Because from what I've heard, you've already done so.
Steele: [his eye twitches as he scowls deeply]
[static buzzing]
Steele: I've said it before and I'll stay it again, that bitch is going down. Mark my words, by the end of the day, she'll be on the boat outta here and outta my hair.
[static buzzing]
Emerald: Demoralizing your competition when you're so close to victory, easiest trick in the book.
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to the four contestants standing before Chris on the Dock of Shame as the host stands next to a projection screen]
Chris: Welcome, final four! After enduring many days of blood, sweat, and tears, it all comes down to the ones still left standing. Some of you appear to be brimming with confidence, others appear to be a lil anxious, probably because they're afraid of losing, which would feel quite sucky I imagine...that is if I was ever afraid of losing myself, which I'm not. [chuckles]
Rarity: Yes, yes, very droll, now would you might explaining what we're meant to be doing today?
Chris: Hold your horses there, I'm getting to it…[chuckles]...man I crack myself up.
Rarity: [rolls her eyes]
Chris: Anyways, today's challenge is a treasure hunt in finding the statuettes of the previously eliminated contestants [the screen shows circular images of the contestants eliminated before the final four]: Hong Hong, Bismuth, Vinyl, Octavia, Dawn, Anne Maria, Axel, Robin, Balto, and Jo. Your mission is to find the stauettes of the losers who were unable to get to where you're at now and bring them back to the Dock of Shame. They're all scattered around different parts of the island and the contestant with the most stauettes wins invincibility and is guaranteed a spot in the final two. Oh, and the person with the least amount of stauettes or happens to be the last person to arrive on the dock is getting an instant ticket to the Boat of Losers. But mind you, they won't be going alone as the winner of the challenge gets to decided who they'd like to take to the final two. So, yeah, just somethin' you should keep in mind, might motivate you into trying harder in order to win. [chuckles]
[static buzzing]
Emerald: Oh, this is too easy. All I need to do is find the most stauettes and I'm in the finale, while the rest of those peasants will have to just deal with the fact that the power is in my hands.
[static buzzing]
Rufus: So, I managed to reach the final four and am now only this close to the finale. I'd predicted that I would have gotten this far, although the journey to get here was...rather unexpected, but in a good way. However, if I'm going to have any shot at getting to the final two, it is imperative that I win this challenge and get you-know-who out of the picture...again…
[static buzzing]
Rarity: I honestly can't believe it, but I do! This is the farthest I've ever made it on Total Drama and I intend to go all the way, so winning this challenge is of the utmost importance. After that, it's million dollar city for Rarity! [squeals in delight]
[static buzzing]
Steele: Obviously, I knew I would get far, never had a lick of doubt that I'd never make it to the finals, probably subverted a lot of expectations with folks thinking I'd never even get pass the merge. To that I say "how'd ya' like me now, bitches?"
[static buzzing]
Chris: Alright, remember what I said, most idols back wins spot in the finals, least idols and last to return is headin' home. Ready...set...GO! [blows the air horn]
[Emerald takes the chance to, literally, trip up Rufus in front on Steele with Rarity stopping just short of tripping as well]
Rufus: Oof!
Steele: AGH!
Rarity: Oh!
Emerald: Off to a rough start, I see! [chuckles haughtily as she runs off]
Chris: And Emerald takes an early lead over the others! Ya'll might wanna kick it into high gear if you wanna make up for lost time. [chuckles]
[static buzzing]
Steele: [while holding a stick in his hand] This is Emerald. This is what I wanna do to Emerald. [roughly snaps the stick in two over his knee]
[static buzzing]
Rufus: Okay, off to not so stellar start because of you-know-who. Honestly, I feel it's about time that somebody got a little payback.
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Steele searching along the beach as his eyes squint to see if any stauettes are within distance]
Steele: Okay...now if I were a stauette, where'd I be…[looks over to see a wooden platform standing in the lake where the figure of Balto is perched on]...ah, perfect…[just as he says that, a group of ravenous sharks surround the platform]...aaaaaand I just jinxed myself…f**king hell…
[scene cuts to Rarity walking into a cave. As she slowly creeps about the area, she then looks up to see, in the dim light, that the figure of Octavia is perched up on a ledge on the wall]
Rarity: Yes! Now I just need tooooooo…[just as she begins to walk forward, she looks down to see a pack of sleeping bears in front of the wall]
[static buzzing]
Rarity: Oh, come on!
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Rufus walking through the forest when he notices something in the trunk of a tall tree. Upon squinting his eyes, the POV shows that inside the trunk are stauettes of Bismuth and Hong Kong]
Rufus: Aha! [begins to climb the tree and is just nearby reach the branch where the trunk lies when a squirrel comes out of the trunk] What the…go on, shoo! Shoo! [the squirrel instead retaliates by reaching into the trunk and throwing down acorns] ACK! HEY! OH! CUT IT-YAAAA! [loses his grip on the tree and plops onto the ground] ...Ow…
[the squirrel chuckles down ath the fox just as Emerald approaches the tree]
Emerald: Tsk, tsk, tsk, lying down on the job. Not very tactful, I must say. [looks up at the tree and starts to climb as the squrriel looks down fiercely with an acorn in hand] GRRRRRRRRRR! [bares her teeth viciously]
[the squirrel, now looking quite pale at this display, smiles nervously as it reaches into the trunk and throws down the Bismuth and Hong King stauettes to Emerald]
Emerald: Ah, that's better. Looks like the score is me-2 and you...nothing…[smugly walks past the fox as he glowers]
[static buzzing]
Rufus: Oh, that is it! She wants to play dirty, well, so can I. Let's see how smug she looks when I swipe those stauettes right under her nose.
[static buzzing]
Emerald: As if this challenge was going to be anything I couldn't handle. Please, they might as well hand me the million already.
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Chris watching from the monitor]
Chris: Well, looks like Emerald's the first one to successfully nab a stauette. Meanwhile, it's proving to be quite the challenge to the rest of the contestants. Will Emerld win another immunity challenge and gain a spot in the final two? Will anyone be able to stop her? My guess; at this rate probably not. But you'll have to stay tuned to find out what happens next when we return on Total...Drama...Reloaded!
[scene cuts to black, the episode continues]
[scene shows Steele making his way across the lake to the platform]
Steele: Alright, you aquatic sons of bitches...let's just get this done nice and easy…
[two sharks go up to the platform and guard it like watchdogs]
Steele: Okay, so if it's the hard way you want, it's the hard way you'll get…
[static buzzing]
Steele: I've gone through the worst snowstorms man and animal has ever seen, I'm not about to be intimidated by a bunch of glorified dolphins!
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Rarity still standing before the sleeping bears]
Rarity: Oh...oh, wait, I have magic, I can just levitate it over here…[her horn sparkles up to show the Octavia stauette rising from the ledge and then into her hand]...ah, perfect! Now, I just need to...oh, what's this? [scene cuts down to a stauette of Robin hidden behind a rock] I must not have seen it before when I came in. I'll just-[as she lowers down to pick up the stauette, the sound of a bear yawning pauses her movement]
[scene cuts to the outside of the cave as Rarity runs out of the cave with both stauettes in her hands]
Rarity: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! [jumps into a bush and pants] Oh...okay...that was close…
[scene cuts to the forest as Emerald is seen walking confidently towards her next destination, unaware that in the bushes, a certain vulpine is following her quietly behind]
[static buzzing]
Rufus: They don't call us foxes sneaky for nothing. I figured that I followed her quietly, eventually I'd be able to surprise her from behind. Take way, I can swipe those stauettes for myself and leave her in the dust.
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Emerald looking at a large rock with a nest atop it. Inside is a statuette of Anne Maria]
Emerald: Ah, perfect...hmm…[steps down the two stauettes as she begins to climb the rock]
[scene cuts to Steele exiting the lake with the Balto stauette in his hand, his fur a tad ruffled from dealing with the sharks]
Steele: Took some ass-kicking...but luckily, I got you…[a clunk is heard as he steps on something in the sand]...huh? [uses his foot to unveil a stauette of Vinyl in the sand] Oh, how convenient…
[scene cuts back to Emerald reaching for the Anne Maria stauette as Rufus slowly approaches her stauettes of Bismuth and Hong Kong]
Emerald: [as she grabs hold of the stauette] Gotcha! Now to climb down and-[notices that Rufus is below her and grabbing onto her possessions]-HEY!
Rufus: Aaaaaaand that's my cue to leave. [rushes off with the HK and Bismuth stauettes as Emerald hops down from the rock and begins to give chase]
[static buzzing]
Emerald: How dare that slimy little rat think he could steal from me?! Oh, he is so going down!
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Rarity still by the bush which she originally jumped into as she eyes the bear cave]
Rarity: Okay, I think I'm in the clear...I just hope I haven't lost much time…[trails over when she notices something sticking out from the bush]...huh…[grabs onto the mysterious item...and pulls out a stauette of Dawn] Oh! Brilliant!
[suddenly, a bear's roar is heard from the cave and the fashionista jets off in a hurry]
[scene cuts to the evening as it then cuts to Steele walking across the forest]
Steele: Several f**king hours out in the wild and still only two a' these things. I swear, if I don't find another, I'm gonna-OOF! [trips over a tree's root sticking out] Argh...wait...is that…[nearby, nestled in between some rocks is a stauette of Jo] Oh, thank God…
[scene cuts to Rarity walking before a river as she looks up at the sky]
Rarity: Oh, I hope I have the highest amount of these, I couldn't afford to lose again, not when I've come this far...oh, come now, Rarity, keep your chin up. Now is not the time to be having doubts...or talking to yourself for that matter...hmm…[just then, she spots something sticking out from behind a log stretched across the river]...wait, is that…[as she walks closer to the log, behind it is a stauette of Axel] Oh, that's four! [as she picks up the Axel stauette, the loudspeaker sounds off in the distance]
Loudspeaker: [off-screen] Attention, campers! Time's up, might wanna get a move on to the Dock of Shame so I can see who's sorry butt's gettin' a ride on the Boat of Losers!
Rarity: OH! [runs across the logs and dashes off into the forest]
[scene cuts to Chris standing on the dock looking at his watch until a feminine panting is heard in the distance, revealing it to be Rarity]
Chris: This just in, Rarity is the first to arrive with four stauettes! In the case that she has the most, she's getting an instant spot in the final two!
[static buzzing]
Rarity: YEEEES!
[static buzzing]
[scene cuts to Steele panting up towards the dock with three stauettes in hand when suddenly the sounds of fighting make him turn his head in that direction. Rufus is clinging onto Emerald as she tries to pull him off]
Emerald: Get off of me, you disgusting earthling!
Rufus: Not on your...argh...life!
Emerald: [as she finally pins Rufus down to the ground] Alright, I warned you about getting in the way, but it's time for-[she is kicked in the chest by another foot and falls backwards]
Rufus: Huh?
Steele: Aaaaah, now that was satisfying. C'mon, let's get to the finish while she's still down!
[with the stauettes in hand, Rufus runs along with Steele to the dock]
Chris: Ah, I see you two both have three, meaning that with no stauettes, the person getting sent to the Boat of Losers is...Emerald!
Emerald: [finally stands up] WHAT?! [rushes over to the dock and grabs Chris by the collar] You can't eliminate me! Those were mine, that little swine was-[a pair of arms are clenched onto her arms]
Chef: We doin' this again?
Emerald: GRR, let go of me, you insignificant-[a mask is put around her mouth, muffling out her obscenities as she's dragged to the Boat of Losers]
Chris: Well, that was...something. But anyways, Rarity, seeing as you're safe in the finale, it's time for you to choose who you'd like to take to the final two. [Rufus and Steele glance at each other]
Rarity: Well...based on what I think, I say I'll go with…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Steele.
Steele: Hmm…[turns to Rufus]...so...I guess this is goodbye...for now, anyway…
Rufus: Yeah...I suppose it is...besides, at least one of us making it to the finals is something to be thankful for…[gives the malamute a peck on the lips and makes his way to board the boat as Emerald finally removes the mask from her face] Well, guess it's second time lucky-
Emerald: Don't even speak to me…
[the boat finally departs from the dock and heads off into the distance]
Chris: And with that, we have our finalists! Who will be the one to win the million? Will it Rarity...or Steele? You'll just have to find out next time on the season finale of Total...Drama...Reloaded!
[scene cuts to black as the episode ends]